  Nala made his solemn promise,—"all your bidding will I do;" Then with folded hands adoring—humbly of their will enquired. "Who are ye? to whom must Nala—as your welcome herald go? What is my commanded service?—tell me, mighty gods, the truth." Spake the sovereign of Nishadha—Indra answered thus and said:— "Know us, the Immortals, hither—come for Damayanti's love. Indra I, and yon is Agni,—and the king of waters there— Slayer he of mortal bodies,—Yama, too, is here, O king! Thou, O Nala, of our coming,—must to Damayanti tell: Thee to see, the world's dread guardians—Indra and the rest came down, Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,—each to seek thine hand are come. One of these celestial beings,—choose, O maiden, for thy lord." Nala, thus addressed by Indra—with his folded hands replied: "Thus with one accord commanding—on this mission send not me. How can man, himself enamoured—for another plead his cause? Spare me then, ye gods, in mercy—this unwelcome service, spare." The Gods spake. "I will do your bidding freely—thus thou'st said, Nishadha's king; Wilt thou now belie thy promise?—Nala, go, nor more delay." By the gods adjured so sternly—thus rejoined Nishadha's king— "Strictly guarded is yon palace—how may I find entrance there?" "Thou shalt enter;" thus did Indra—to the unwilling king reply. In the bower of Damayanti—as they spake, king Nala stood. There he saw Vidarbha's maiden—girt with all her virgin bands; Every limb in smooth proportion—slender waist and lovely eyes; Even the moon's soft gleam disdaining—in her own o'erpowering light. As he gazed, his love grew warmer—to the softly smiling maid, Yet to keep his truth, his duty—all his passion he suppressed. Then Nishadha's king beholding—all those maids with beauteous limbs From their seats sprang up in wonder—at his matchless form amazed. In their rapture to king Nala—all admiring, homage paid; Yet, not venturing to accost him,—in their secret souls adored. "Oh the beauty! oh the splendour!—oh the mighty hero's strength! Who is he, or God, or Yaksha—or Gandharba may he be." Not one single word to utter,—dared that fair-limbed maiden band; All struck dumb before his beauty—in their bashful silence stood. Smiling, first, upon the monarch—as on her he gently smiled, Damayanti, in her wonder—to the hero Nala spake:— "Who art thou of form so beauteous—thou that wakenest all my love; Cam'st thou here like an immortal—I would know thee, sinless chief. How hast entered in our palace?—how hast entered all unseen? Watchful are our chamber wardens—stern the mandate of the king." By the maiden of Vidarbha—Nala thus addressed, replied:— "Know, O loveliest, I am Nala—here the messenger of gods, Gods desirous to possess thee;—one of these, the lord of heaven Indra, Agni, Varun, Yama,—choose thou, princess, for thy lord. Through their power, their power almighty—I have entered here unseen; As I entered in thy chamber—none hath seen, and none might stay. This, the object of my mission,—fairest, from the highest gods, Thou hast heard me, noble princess—even as thou wilt, decide." |
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